Living Amongst The Dead

Chapter 22

Dear Gina and group,
I have left to go back to the town. I didn't want to tell you because Max had just died and I didn't want to ask you to come straight away. By the time your reading this I will already be in the forest near the town. If you decide to come as well I will see you there.
When we were back at the town, when I was with Max, I saw something. Something in the trees.
From Ned.

I read the note out loud to the others then handed it back to Gina. What did Ned mean by him seeing something in the trees? Surely he would have told one of us if he saw something worth checking out.

I looked at the others. They all had a surprised look on their faces and Gina looked really worried.

"We have to go look for him." Said Ben as he started to pack up a nearby backpack. "Wait." I said, grabbing his arm. "We have to think about this. We need to make a plan."

He yanked his arm from my grip then replied harshly. "I've already lost Max. I'm not losing Ned as well." His face grow soft when he saw the look of hurt on my face.

"Look." He said. "I didn't mean to be rude but I'm not gonna sit around while Ned's out there by himself. He'll need our help. I don't think we need to waste time thinking of a plan. All we have to do is help Ned."

I felt the heat in my face now. I was only trying to help and he'd just thrown it back in my face. "Sorry." I replied hotly. "But I don't think we should just go running around blindly and I think Calem and Gina would agree that we need to make a plan."

Then I stormed out of the room and made my way out of the cabin, towards Max's grave. I wasn't sad, I was just annoyed that Ben wanted to rush into things. I flopped onto the ground and stared at the ruffly made cross with Max scrawled onto it. I heard a door slam in the distance, then I heard footsteps.

Someone sat down beside me but I didn't look.

"I'm really sorry." Ben's voice was soft and sad but he continued. "I honestly didn't mean to upset you and I know your right but I wasn't thinking straight. I just didn't want to lose anyone else. Do you forgive me?"

I felt a small smile on my face and turned to look at Ben. "I forgive you." I said quietly. "I just didn't think your idea was any good, plus, you were quite rude." Relief flashed across his face before he replied.

"I know and I'm so sorry for being a jerk." He pulled me into a hug but I pulled away and kissed him instead. I felt a smile spread across his lips as he kissed me back.

We just sat there and kissed for a while, all worries leaving my body.

I whispered against his ear as his lips trailed down my neck softly. "I hate how I can't stay mad at you." He grabbed my hands and lifted me to my feet. "We should probably go make that plan of yours." He said as we headed towards the cabin.

"Great idea," I told him.